shawarma

noun

sha·​war·​ma shä-ˈwȯr-mə How to pronounce shawarma (audio) ˈshwȯr-mə How to pronounce shawarma (audio)
: a sandwich especially of sliced lamb or chicken, vegetables, and often tahini wrapped in pita bread

Examples of shawarma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The shawarma, falafel wraps and baklava at Jersey Kebab are great, but many of its patrons are also there these days for a side of protest. Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Meddys serves up hummus, shawarmas, bowls, platters, salads and signature cocktails. Noelle Alviz-Gransee february 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026 Mustafa cut the line at a shawarma place and shook hands with the cashier boy. Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026 Tinner’s Public House The Shawarmageddon is a chicken, lamb and beef shawarma stacked with spinach, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, feta and tzatziki. Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shawarma

Word History

Etymology

Levantine Arabic shāwurma sliced lamb on a skewer, from Turkish çevirme, literally, turn, rotation, from çevir- turn

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shawarma was in 1953

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shawarma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shawarma. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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